Fire Contained At Uptown Apartment Building

One person was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at an uptown Saint John apartment building, according to fire officials.

Crews were called to 175 Britain Street around 9 a.m. Monday, according to acting platoon chief Craig Melvin with the Saint John Fire Department.

“When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and fire in one of the units. There was also heavy smoke throughout the hallway of the second storey and into the third storey,” Melvin said in a phone interview.

Crews made a quick attack on the fire and started to ventilate while also searching the building to get people out, he said.

“We did assist several residents with evacuation, but the majority self-evacuated,” said Melvin.

One resident was treated at the scene by paramedics for what Melvin described as “minor” smoke inhalation.

The fire was under control within an hour, he said, and most crews left the scene within 90 minutes.

Melvin said while the fire was contained to one unit on the second floor, there was smoke damage throughout the hallways on the second and third floors.

Most residents remained out of the building as of 2:15 p.m. Monday as crews were working to ensure the alarm system was still functioning properly.

Fire investigators also remained on scene as of early Monday afternoon trying to determine the cause of the fire, said Melvin.